System And Method For Callee-Caller Specific Greetings For Voice Mail

ABSTRACT

A method for customization of voice mail messaging. The method includes recording a plurality of voice mail messages, defining selection criteria for each of the plurality of voice mail messages, establishing a first call for which one of the plurality of voice mail messages will be selected, identifying parameters of the first call, matching the parameters with the selection criteria, selecting the one of the plurality of messages based on the matching step, and playing the selected message on the first call.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related by subject matter to co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. ______, (Attorney Docket No. 2010-1438/ATTM-1609),filed ______, ______, (Attorney Docket No. 2010-1439/ATTM-1608), filed______, ______, (Attorney Docket No. 2010-1441/ATTM-1606), filed ______,and ______, (Attorney Docket No. 2010-1442/ATTM-1605), filed ______. Theentirety of each application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed to the delivery of greetings that aretailored to the calling party or the called party when accessing a voicemail system.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications are becoming more automated. For example, there areautomated systems for calling that are designed to deliver a specificmessage, either live or via voice mail. Likewise, there are automatedsystems that will receive and record incoming calls in the form of voicemail. There are many types of voice mail systems, including the mostrecent innovations surrounding visual voice mail which permitssubscribers to view voice mail messages in configurations that enablemore efficient processing of such voice mail messages. For example, byobtaining a list of voice mails and presenting a summary list of suchvoice mails on a visual display, a subscriber may pick the order thatsuch messages are accessed and reviewed. The subscriber may also chooseto ignore and delete voice mail messages without accessing or reviewingthem. Some visual voice mail systems also include the transcription ofvoice messages into text messages, thereby enabling the subscriber theoption of listening to a message or reading a text transcription of themessage.

In a typical voice mail greeting, the called party has recorded amessage to be played to the calling party prior inviting the callingparty to leave a voice mail. Some systems have a mechanically generatedvoice or an IVR which instructs the calling party to leave a voice mailmessage. What is needed is a system and method for customizing thegreeting as a function of the calling party. Likewise, there is a needfor customizing greeting messages generated by automated callingsystems.

SUMMARY

A method for customization of voice mail messaging includes recording aplurality of voice mail messages, defining selection criteria for eachof the plurality of voice mail messages, establishing a first call forwhich one of the plurality of voice mail messages will be selected,identifying parameters of the first call, matching the parameters withthe selection criteria, selecting the one of the plurality of messagesbased on the matching step, and playing the selected message on thefirst call. The first call may be an outbound call to a called party oran inbound call from a calling party. The parameters of the call may beone of the called party's location, the called party's telephone number,and the profile associated with the called party. The selection criteriamay be one of the calling party's location, the calling party'stelephone number, and the profile associated with a calling party.

According to another embodiment, the method may include establishing asecond call wherein the selecting step includes selecting a secondmessage for the the second calls and playing the second message on thesecond call. The second call may be an outbound or an inbound call. Thefirst message may be the same or different from the second message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a network with a voice mailservice in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow chart showing a method of an embodiment forcaller-specific greetings;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart showing a method of an embodiment forcallee-specific greetings;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the method;

FIG. 5 is an example of a multi-user, multi-screen visual voice mailsystem;

FIG. 6 is an example of a variation of the multi-user, multi-screenvisual voice mail system in which privacy features are illustrated;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example device that is configurable tobe compatible with visual voice mail systems;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example network entity configurable tobe compatible with visual voice mail systems;.

FIG. 6 depicts an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichvisual voice mail systems can be implemented.

FIG. 7 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network in whichvisual voice mail systems can be implemented.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture within which visual voice mail systemscan be implemented.

FIG. 9 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an exemplaryarchitecture in which visual voice mail systems may be incorporated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will now be described with respect to theappended drawings. In accordance with FIG. 1, there is shown a an system10 in which the disclosure may be implemented in a first embodiment. Thesystem 10 includes a network 12, which could be any type ofcommunications network, including but not limited to a 3G or 4G wirelessnetwork, WiFi or WiMax, CDMA or TDMA, the internet or any othertelephony or data network, including the PSTN. It should be understoodthat the disclosure is not limited to wireless telephony, but may alsoinclude landline telephony as well. The network may have fixedinterfaces to landline telephones 16, or interfaces to wireless devices18 or 20 through base stations (not shown) respectively in accordancewith well-known protocols.

The wireless device 18, 20 is representative of any appropriate type ofdevice that can communicate on a wireless network. Example mobiledevices include any type of wireless receiver or transceiver device(e.g., cell phone, pager, PDA, PC, specialized broadcast receivingdevice, satellite radio receiver, satellite phone, and television).Example devices can comprise any appropriate mobile device, such as, forexample, a portable device, a variety of computing devices including (a)a portable media player, e.g., a portable music player, such as an MP3player, a Walkman, etc., (b) a portable computing device, such as alaptop, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a portable phone, such asa cell phone or the like, a smart phone, a Session Initiation Protocol(SIP) phone, a video phone, a portable email device, a thin client, aportable gaming device, etc., (c) consumer electronic devices, such asTVs, DVD players, set top boxes, monitors, displays, etc., (d) a publiccomputing device, such as a kiosk, an in-store music sampling device, anautomated teller machine (ATM), a cash register, etc., (e) a navigationdevice whether portable or installed in-vehicle and/or (f) anon-conventional computing device, such as a kitchen appliance, a motorvehicle control (e.g., steering wheel), etc., or a combination thereof.For exemplary purposes only, the mobile device 20 will be referred to assmart phone 20, though clearly not limited to such.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, the network 12 also includes avoice mail server 14 in communication therewith, which may, for example,be a visual voice mail server. A location server 24 is also shown incommunication with the network.

In accordance with an embodiment, a flow chart is shown in FIG. 2. Theflow chart describes an example in which the voice mail server 12customizes the called party, or callee, greeting for the voice mailsystem. The method starts at 30 wherein a subscriber to a voice mailsystem wishing to customize the greeting for callers in which thesubscriber is the called party, referred hereinafter as the called partysubscriber, sets up a profile. The profile may, for example includecalled party subscriber data such as name, address, telephone number,device type, and the like. At 32, a plurality of personal greetings maybe recorded by the called party subscriber. For example, a personalgreeting may be recorded which is very business-like and which will beused as a greeting for business callers. Another personal greeting maybe recorded which is more conversational in nature and which will beused for social calls. Yet another personal greeting may be recordedwhich is more playful and used as a greeting for family and closefriends. There is no limit to the number of personal greetings that maybe recorded. At 34, the personal greetings are linked to a set ofmatching criteria that matches an individual greeting to that criteria.For example, a recorded personal greeting may be linked to a particularcalling line identification parameter, whereas another recorded personalgreeting may be linked to a particular time of day, while yet anotherrecorded personal greeting may be linked to the location of the callingparty. At 36, a calling party calls and accessed the voice mail system.At 38, the voice mail server identifies the calling party, the callingparty's location, the time of day, and any other pre-selected criteria.At 40, the voice mail server maps the criteria to a recorded personalgreeting. At 42, the selected personal greeting is played in a mannerthat the calling party hears the selected personal greeting. As such, abusiness caller during normal business hours may hear a greetingindicating that the office is open but the calling party in unavailable,while that same caller outside of normal business hours may hear agreeting that states the office is closed. A personal caller may bereferred to the called party subscriber's cellular or telephone number,or receive a more personal greeting. The criteria may also be based onthe location of the calling party and time of day, such that therecorded greeting may state “good morning” to a California calling partyand “good afternoon” to a New York calling party at a particular time ofday. Other selection criteria are contemplated by the disclosure,including but not limited to number of times a calling party is calling(i.e., “Joe is still not here yet”), or any other criteria.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown an exemplary flow chart ofanother embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the callingparty, or callee, (referred to hereinafter as a calling partysubscriber) is leaving a voice mail message for the called party. Themethod starts at 50 wherein a calling party subscriber wishing tocustomize the greeting for called parties sets up a profile. The profilemay, for example include calling party subscriber data such as name,address, telephone number, device type, and the like. At 52, a pluralityof personal messages may be recorded by the calling party subscriber.For example, a personal greeting may be recorded which is verybusiness-like and which will be used as a message for business calls.Another personal message may be recorded which is more conversational innature and which will be used for social calls. Yet another personalgreeting may be recorded which is more playful and used as a message forfamily and close friends. There is no limit to the number of personalmessages that may be recorded. At 54, the personal messages are linkedto a set of matching criteria that matches an individual messages tothat criteria. For example, a recorded message may be linked to aparticular called line identification parameter, whereas anotherrecorded personal message may be linked to a particular time of day,while yet another recorded personal greeting may be linked to thelocation of the called party. For example, a nationwide politicaladvertisement may be sent to called parties in New York and Georgia. Themessage delivered to New York may include a northeastern accent, whilethe message delivered to Georgia may be sent with a southern accent. At56, a called party calls and accesses the voice mail system. At 58, thevoice mail server identifies the called party, the called party'slocation, the time of day, and any other pre-selected criteria. At 60,the voice mail server maps the criteria to a recorded personal message.At 62, the selected personal greeting is played in a manner that thecalled party hears the selected personal message.

According to another embodiment, each of the above may include voicemail messages to be delivered as a text transcription and sent to one ormore selected devices of a called party.

The management of the voice mail may be from the server or from one ofthe subscriber devices. Filtering and control functions may be providedto permit the subscriber to program the delivery options and update theselection criteria and profile data. Priority may be set, as well asdelivery times based on time of day or location considerations.

Additionally, the voice mail server 14 may be programmed to send replymessages, either automatically or upon command from the subscriber, tothe calling party. For example, an acknowledgement of receipt anddelivery may be sent automatically by the voice mail server 12 to thecalling party, or such an acknowledgement may be initiated afterprompting the subscriber to authorize the sending of such anacknowledgement. The reply acknowledgement may be customized inaccordance with the methods described above such that the customizedreply message is selected and sent to the called party subscriber.

It is understood that the disclosure may be implemented on a PSTNwireline system, a wireless system, or some combination of the two.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example device 436 that may, for examplebe a smartphone or other mobile device and which is configurable toreceive voice mail. The device 436 can include any appropriate device,mechanism, software, and/or hardware for distributing connectivityand/or transmission time as described herein. As described herein, thedevice 436 comprises hardware, or a combination of hardware andsoftware. And, each portion of the device 436 comprises hardware, or acombination of hardware and software. In an example configuration, thedevice 436 can comprise a processing portion 438, a memory portion 440,an input/output portion 442, a user interface (UI) portion 444, and asensor portion 446 comprising at least one of a video camera portion448, a force/wave sensor 450, a microphone 452, a moisture sensor 454,or a combination thereof. The force/wave sensor comprises at least oneof a motion detector, an accelerometer, an acoustic sensor, a tiltsensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like. The motiondetector is configured to detect motion occurring outside of thecommunications device, for example via disturbance of a standing wave,via electromagnetic and/or acoustic energy, or the like. The acceleratoris capable of sensing acceleration, motion, and/or movement of thecommunications device. The acoustic sensor is capable of sensingacoustic energy, such as a noise, voice, etc., for example. The tiltsensor is capable of detecting a tilt of the communications device. Thepressure sensor is capable of sensing pressure against thecommunications device, such as from a shock wave caused by broken glassor the like. The temperature sensor is capable of sensing a measuringtemperature, such as inside of the vehicle, room, building, or the like.The moisture sensor 54 is capable of detecting moisture, such asdetecting if the device 436 is submerged in a liquid. The processingportion 438, memory portion 440, input/output portion 442, userinterface (UI) portion 444, video camera portion 448, force/wave sensor450, and microphone 452 are coupled together to allow communicationstherebetween (coupling not shown in FIG. 3).

In various embodiments, the input/output portion 442 comprises areceiver of the device 436, a transmitter of the device 436, or acombination thereof. The input/output portion 442 is capable ofreceiving and/or providing information pertaining to visual voice mailmessages as described herein or other communications with other devicesand device types. For example, the input/output portion 442 can includea wireless communications (e.g., 2.5G/3G/4G) SIM card. The input/outputportion 442 is capable of receiving and/or sending text information,video information, audio information, control information, imageinformation, data, an indication to initiate a connection, an indicationto initiate a transmission, start time information, end timeinformation, interval time information, interval length information,random number value information, connect time information, transmit timeinformation, parsing information, authentication information, or anycombination thereof. In an example configuration, the input/outputportion 442 comprises a GPS receiver. In an example configuration, thedevice 36 can determine its own geographical location through any typeof location determination system including, for example, the GlobalPositioning System (GPS), assisted GPS (A-GPS), time difference ofarrival calculations, configured constant location (in the case ofnon-moving devices), any combination thereof, or any other appropriatemeans. In various configurations, the input/output portion 442 canreceive and/or provide information via any appropriate means, such as,for example, optical means (e.g., infrared), electromagnetic means(e.g., RF, WI-FI, BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, etc.), acoustic means (e.g.,speaker, microphone, ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or acombination thereof. In an example configuration, the input/outputportion comprises a WIFI finder, a two way GPS chipset or equivalent, orthe like.

The processing portion 438 is capable of processing voice mail asdescribed herein. The processing portion 438, in conjunction with anyother portion of the device 436, enables the device 436 to covert speechto text or convert text to speech.

In a basic configuration, the device 436 can include at least one memoryportion 440. The memory portion 440 can store any information utilizedin conjunction with voice mail as described herein. Depending upon theexact configuration and type of processor, the memory portion 40 can bevolatile (such as some types of RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flashmemory, etc.). The device 436 can include additional storage (e.g.,removable storage and/or non-removable storage) including, tape, flashmemory, smart cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus (USB)compatible memory, or the like. In an example configuration, the memoryportion 440, or a portion of the memory portion 440 is hardened suchthat information stored therein can be recovered if the device 436 isexposed to extreme heat, extreme vibration, extreme moisture, corrosivechemicals or gas, or the like. In an example configuration, theinformation stored in the hardened portion of the memory portion 440 isencrypted, or otherwise rendered unintelligible without use of anappropriate cryptographic key, password, biometric (voiceprint,fingerprint, retinal image, facial image, or the like). Wherein, use ofthe appropriate cryptographic key, password, biometric will render theinformation stored in the hardened portion of the memory portion 440intelligible.

The device 436 also can contain a UI portion 444 allowing a user tocommunicate with the device 436. The UI portion 444 is capable ofrendering any information utilized in conjunction the visual voice mailas described herein. For example, the UI portion 444 can provide meansfor entering text (including numbers), entering a phone number,rendering text, rendering images, rendering multimedia, rendering sound,rendering video, receiving sound, or the like, as described herein. TheUI portion 444 can provide the ability to control the device 436, via,for example, buttons, soft keys, voice actuated controls, a touchscreen, movement of the device 436, visual cues (e.g., moving a hand infront of a camera on the mobile device 436), or the like. The UI portion444 can provide visual information (e.g., via a display), audioinformation (e.g., via speaker), mechanically (e.g., via a vibratingmechanism), or a combination thereof. In various configurations, the UIportion 444 can comprise a display, a touch screen, a keyboard, aspeaker, or any combination thereof. The UI portion 444 can comprisemeans for inputting biometric information, such as, for example,fingerprint information, retinal information, voice information, and/orfacial characteristic information. The UI portion 444 can be utilized toenter an indication of the designated destination (e.g., the phonenumber, IP address, or the like).

In an example embodiment, the sensor portion 446 of the device 436comprises the video camera portion 448, the force/wave sensor 450, andthe microphone 452. The video camera portion 448 comprises a camera (orcameras) and associated equipment capable of capturing still imagesand/or video and to provide the captured still images and/or video toother portions of the device 436. In an example embodiment, theforce/wave sensor 450 comprises an accelerometer, a tilt sensor, anacoustic sensor capable of sensing acoustic energy, an optical sensor(e.g., infrared), or any combination thereof.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example network entity 456 such as apersonal computer or a television configurable to facilitate a visualvoice mail system as described herein. In an example embodiment, thenetwork entity 456 comprises a network entity comprising hardware, or acombination of hardware and software. And, each portion of the networkentity 456 comprises hardware, or a combination of hardware andsoftware. When used in conjunction with a network, the functionalityneeded to facilitate visual voice mail processing may reside in any oneor combination of network entities. The network entity 456 depicted inFIG. 4 represents any appropriate network entity, apparatus, orcombination of network entities or apparatuses, such as a processor, aserver, a gateway, etc., or any combination thereof. It is emphasizedthat the block diagram depicted in FIG. 4 is exemplary and not intendedto imply a specific implementation or configuration. Thus, the networkentity 456 can be implemented in a single processor or multipleprocessors (e.g., single server or multiple servers, single gateway ormultiple gateways, etc.). Multiple network entities can be distributedor centrally located. Multiple network entities can communicatewirelessly, via hard wire, or a combination thereof.

In an example configuration, the network entity 456 comprises aprocessing portion 458, a memory portion 460, and an input/outputportion 462. The processing portion 458, memory portion 460, andinput/output portion 462 are coupled together (coupling not shown inFIG. 4) to allow communications therebetween. The input/output portion462 is capable of receiving and/or providing information from/to adevice (e.g. device 436) and/or other network entity configured to beutilized in conjunction with visual voice mail services. For example,the input/output portion 462 is capable of, in conjunction with anyother portion of the network entity 456 as needed, receiving and/orsending text information, video information, audio information, controlinformation, image information, data, or any information relating tovisual voice mail, or any combination thereof.

The processing portion 458 is capable of performing functions associatedwith distributing connectivity and/or transmission time, as describedherein. For example, the processing portion 458 is capable of, inconjunction with any other portion of the network entity 456 as needed,executing an application for processing visual voice mail via the userinterface portion 444, processing text messages received via theinput/output portion 442, processing voice messages received via theinput/output portion 442, or the like, or any combination thereof.

The memory portion 460 can store any information utilized in conjunctionwith distributing connectivity and/or transmission time, as describedherein. For example, the memory portion 460 is capable of storinginformation pertaining to a start time, an end time, an interval time, arandom number value, a connect time, a transmission time, parsinginformation, authenticating information, hashing information, encryptinginformation, a location of a device, a predetermined text/voice message,a text/voice message, a predetermined audio/text message, an audio/textmessage, subscriber profile information, subscriber identificationinformation, phone numbers, an identification code of the communicationsdevice, video information, audio information, control information,information indicative sensor data (e.g., raw individual sensorinformation, combination of sensor information, processed sensorinformation, etc.), or a combination thereof. Depending upon the exactconfiguration and type of network entity 456, the memory portion 460 caninclude a computer storage medium, or media, that is volatile 464 (suchas dynamic RAM), non-volatile 466 (such as ROM), or a combinationthereof. The network entity 456 can include additional storage, in theform of computer storage media (e.g., removable storage 468 and/ornon-removable storage 470) including, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, tape, flashmemory, smart cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus (USB)compatible memory. As described herein, a computer storage medium is anarticle of manufacture.

The network entity 456 also can contain communications connection(s) 476that allow the network entity 456 to communicate with other devices,network entities, or the like. A communications connection(s) cancomprise communication media. Communication media can be used tocommunicate computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules, or other data. Communication media can include an appropriatetransport mechanism or information delivery media that can be used totransport a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave.

The network entity 456 also can include input device(s) 472 such askeyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, an opticalinput device, etc. Output device(s) 474 such as a display, speakers,printer, mechanical vibrators, etc. also can be included.

The communications device (e.g., device 436) and the network entity(network entity 456) can be part of and/or in communication with variouswireless communications networks. Some of which are described below.

FIG. 6 depicts an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichvisual voice mail may be implemented. In the exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment shown in FIG. 5, there are aplurality of Base Station Subsystems (“BSS”) 500 (only one is shown),each of which comprises a Base Station Controller (“BSC”) 502 serving aplurality of Base Transceiver Stations (“BTS”) such as BTSs 504, 506,and 508. BTSs 504, 506, 508, etc. are the access points where users ofpacket-based mobile devices become connected to the wireless network. Inexemplary fashion, the packet traffic originating from user devices istransported via an over-the-air interface to a BTS 508, and from the BTS508 to the BSC 502. Base station subsystems, such as BSS 500, are a partof internal frame relay network 510 that can include Service GPRSSupport Nodes (“SGSN”) such as SGSN 512 and 514. Each SGSN is connectedto an internal packet network 520 through which a SGSN 512, 514, etc.can route data packets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRS supportnodes (GGSN) 522, 524, 526, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 514 and GGSNs 522,524, and 526 are part of internal packet network 520. Gateway GPRSserving nodes 522, 524 and 526 mainly provide an interface to externalInternet Protocol (“IP”) networks such as Public Land Mobile Network(“PLMN”) 550, corporate intranets 540, or Fixed-End System (“FES”) orthe public Internet 530. As illustrated, subscriber corporate network540 may be connected to GGSN 524 via firewall 532; and PLMN 550 isconnected to GGSN 524 via boarder gateway router 534. The RemoteAuthentication Dial-In User Service (“RADIUS”) server 542 may be usedfor caller authentication when a user of a mobile cellular device callscorporate network 540.

Generally, there can be a several cell sizes in a GSM network, referredto as macro, micro, pico, femto and umbrella cells. The coverage area ofeach cell is different in different environments. Macro cells can beregarded as cells in which the base station antenna is installed in amast or a building above average roof top level. Micro cells are cellswhose antenna height is under average roof top level. Micro-cells aretypically used in urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having adiameter of a few dozen meters. Pico cells are used mainly indoors.Femto cells have the same size as pico cells, but a smaller transportcapacity. Femto cells are used indoors, in residential, or smallbusiness environments. On the other hand, umbrella cells are used tocover shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill in gaps in coveragebetween those cells.

FIG. 7 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network in whichvisual voice mail systems can be implemented. The architecture depictedin FIG. 6 is segmented into four groups: users 650, radio access network660, core network 670, and interconnect network 680. Users 650 comprisea plurality of end users. Note, device 612 is referred to as a mobilesubscriber in the description of network shown in FIG. 6. In an exampleembodiment, the device depicted as mobile subscriber 612 comprises acommunications device (e.g., wireless anti-theft security M2M typedevice 36). Radio access network 660 comprises a plurality of basestation subsystems such as BSSs 662, which include BTSs 664 and BSCs666. Core network 670 comprises a host of various network elements. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, core network 670 may comprise Mobile SwitchingCenter (“MSC”) 671, Service Control Point (“SCP”) 672, gateway MSC 673,SGSN 676, Home Location Register (“HLR”) 674, Authentication Center(“AuC”) 675, Domain Name Server (“DNS”) 677, and GGSN 678. Interconnectnetwork 680 also comprises a host of various networks and other networkelements. As illustrated in FIG. 6, interconnect network 680 comprisesPublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 682, Fixed-End System (“FES”)or Internet 684, firewall 688, and Corporate Network 689.

A mobile switching center can be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 671, for instance, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 682 through Gateway MSC(“GMSC”) 673, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 676, which then sends thedata traffic to GGSN 678 for further forwarding.

When MSC 671 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 666, it sendsa query to a database hosted by SCP 672. The SCP 672 processes therequest and issues a response to MSC 671 so that it may continue callprocessing as appropriate.

The HLR 674 is a centralized database for users to register to the GPRSnetwork. HLR 674 stores static information about the subscribers such asthe International Mobile Subscriber Identity (“IMSI”), subscribedservices, and a key for authenticating the subscriber. HLR 674 alsostores dynamic subscriber information such as the current location ofthe mobile subscriber. Associated with HLR 674 is AuC 675. AuC 675 is adatabase that contains the algorithms for authenticating subscribers andincludes the associated keys for encryption to safeguard the user inputfor authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber”sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the actual portabledevice, such as a mobile device, used by an end user of the mobilecellular service. When a mobile subscriber turns on his or her mobiledevice, the mobile device goes through an attach process by which themobile device attaches to an SGSN of the GPRS network. In FIG. 6, whenmobile subscriber 612 initiates the attach process by turning on thenetwork capabilities of the mobile device, an attach request is sent bymobile subscriber 612 to SGSN 676. The SGSN 676 queries another SGSN, towhich mobile subscriber 612 was attached before, for the identity ofmobile subscriber 612. Upon receiving the identity of mobile subscriber612 from the other SGSN, SGSN 676 requests more information from mobilesubscriber 612. This information is used to authenticate mobilesubscriber 612 to SGSN 676 by HLR 674. Once verified, SGSN 676 sends alocation update to HLR 674 indicating the change of location to a newSGSN, in this case SGSN 676. HLR 674 notifies the old SGSN, to whichmobile subscriber 612 was attached before, to cancel the locationprocess for mobile subscriber 612. HLR 674 then notifies SGSN 676 thatthe location update has been performed. At this time, SGSN 676 sends anAttach Accept message to mobile subscriber 612, which in turn sends anAttach Complete message to SGSN 676.

After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber 612 then goesthrough the authentication process. In the authentication process, SGSN676 sends the authentication information to HLR 674, which sendsinformation back to SGSN 676 based on the user profile that was part ofthe user's initial setup. The SGSN 676 then sends a request forauthentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 612. The mobilesubscriber 612 uses an algorithm to send the user identification (ID)and password to SGSN 676. The SGSN 676 uses the same algorithm andcompares the result. If a match occurs, SGSN 676 authenticates mobilesubscriber 612.

Next, the mobile subscriber 612 establishes a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 689, by going through a PacketData Protocol (“PDP”) activation process. Briefly, in the process,mobile subscriber 612 requests access to the Access Point Name (“APN”),for example, UPS.com, and SGSN 676 receives the activation request frommobile subscriber 612. SGSN 676 then initiates a Domain Name Service(“DNS”) query to learn which GGSN node has access to the UPS.com APN.The DNS query is sent to the DNS server within the core network 670,such as DNS 677, which is provisioned to map to one or more GGSN nodesin the core network 670. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN 678 canaccess the requested corporate network 689. The SGSN 676 then sends toGGSN 678 a Create Packet Data Protocol (“PDP”) Context Request messagethat contains necessary information. The GGSN 678 sends a Create PDPContext Response message to SGSN 676, which then sends an Activate PDPContext Accept message to mobile subscriber 612.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 612can then go through radio access network 660, core network 670, andinterconnect network 680, in a particular fixed-end system or Internet684 and firewall 688, to reach corporate network 689.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture within which visual voice mail systemscan be implemented. As illustrated, the architecture of FIG. 8 includesa GSM core network 701, a GPRS network 730 and an IP multimedia network738. The GSM core network 701 includes a Mobile Station (MS) 702, atleast one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 704 and a Base StationController (BSC) 706. The MS 702 is physical equipment or MobileEquipment (ME), such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer that is usedby mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identity Module (SIM) or aUniversal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). The SIM or UICC includes anInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is a uniqueidentifier of a subscriber. The BTS 704 is physical equipment, such as aradio tower, that enables a radio interface to communicate with the MS.Each BTS may serve more than one MS. The BSC 706 manages radioresources, including the BTS. The BSC may be connected to several BTSs.The BSC and BTS components, in combination, are generally referred to asa base station (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 703.

The GSM core network 701 also includes a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)708, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 710, a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 712, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 714, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 718, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 716. The MSC 708 performs a switching function for the network.The MSC also performs other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC710 provides a gateway between the GSM network and other networks, suchas an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 720. Thus, the GMSC 710 provides interworkingfunctionality with external networks.

The HLR 712 is a database that contains administrative informationregarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSM network. TheHLR 712 also contains the current location of each MS. The VLR 714 is adatabase that contains selected administrative information from the HLR712. The VLR contains information necessary for call control andprovision of subscribed services for each MS currently located in ageographical area controlled by the VLR. The HLR 712 and the VLR 714,together with the MSC 708, provide the call routing and roamingcapabilities of GSM. The AuC 716 provides the parameters needed forauthentication and encryption functions. Such parameters allowverification of a subscriber's identity. The EIR 718 storessecurity-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 709 allows one-to-one ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from the MS 702. A PushProxy Gateway (PPG) 711 is used to “push” (i.e., send without asynchronous request) content to the MS 702. The PPG 711 acts as a proxybetween wired and wireless networks to facilitate pushing of data to theMS 702. A Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) protocol router 713 isprovided to convert SMS-based SMPP messages to cell broadcast messages.SMPP is a protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entitiessuch as short message service centers. The SMPP protocol is often usedto allow third parties, e.g., content suppliers such as newsorganizations, to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS first registers with the network to indicate itscurrent location by performing a location update and IMSI attachprocedure. The MS 702 sends a location update including its currentlocation information to the MSC/VLR, via the BTS 704 and the BSC 706.The location information is then sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR isupdated with the location information received from the MSC/VLR. Thelocation update also is performed when the MS moves to a new locationarea. Typically, the location update is periodically performed to updatethe database as location updating events occur.

The GPRS network 730 is logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 732, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 734. The SGSN 732 is at the same hierarchicallevel as the MSC 708 in the GSM network. The SGSN controls theconnection between the GPRS network and the MS 702. The SGSN also keepstrack of individual MS's locations and security functions and accesscontrols.

A Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 717 communicates cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who arelocated within a given part of its network coverage area at the time themessage is broadcast.

The GGSN 734 provides a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 736. That is, the GGSNprovides interworking functionality with external networks, and sets upa logical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it is transferred to an external TCP-IP network736, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order to access GPRSservices, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS network by performingan attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP)context, thus activating a packet communication session between the MS,the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be used inparallel. The MS can operate in one of three classes: class A, class B,and class C. A class A MS can attach to the network for both GPRSservices and GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS also supportssimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles can receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time.

A class B MS can attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

A GPRS network 730 can be designed to operate in three network operationmodes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of a GPRS networkis indicated by a parameter in system information messages transmittedwithin a cell. The system information messages dictates a MS where tolisten for paging messages and how to signal towards the network. Thenetwork operation mode represents the capabilities of the GPRS network.In a NOM1 network, a MS can receive pages from a circuit switched domain(voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS can suspend the datacall or take both simultaneously, depending on the ability of the MS. Ina NOM2 network, a MS may not receive pages from a circuit switcheddomain when engaged in a data call, since the MS is receiving data andis not listening to a paging channel. In a NOM3 network, a MS canmonitor pages for a circuit switched network while received data andvice versa.

The IP multimedia network 738 was introduced with 3GPP Release 7, andincludes an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 740 to provide rich multimediaservices to end users. A representative set of the network entitieswithin the IMS 740 are a call/session control function (CSCF), a mediagateway control function (MGCF) 746, a media gateway (MGW) 748, and amaster subscriber database, called a home subscriber server (HSS) 750.The HSS 750 may be common to the GSM network 701, the GPRS network 730as well as the IP multimedia network 738.

The IP multimedia system 740 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)743, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 742, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 744. TheP-CSCF 742 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 740. TheP-CSCF 742 forwards session initiation protocol (SIP) messages receivedfrom the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of theMS. The P-CSCF 742 may also modify an outgoing request according to aset of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

The I-CSCF 743, forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 743 may contact asubscriber location function (SLF) 745 to determine which HSS 750 to usefor the particular subscriber, if multiple HSS's 750 are present. TheS-CSCF 744 performs the session control services for the MS 702. Thisincludes routing originating sessions to external networks and routingterminating sessions to visited networks. The S-CSCF 744 also decideswhether an application server (AS) 752 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision is based on information received fromthe HSS 750 (or other sources, such as an application server 752). TheAS 752 also communicates to a location server 756 (e.g., a GatewayMobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of the MS 702.

The HSS 750 contains a subscriber profile and keeps track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It also supportssubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 750, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 750 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

The MGCF 746 provides interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 740 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown). It also controls the mediagateway (MGW) 748 that provides user-plane interworking functionality(e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). The MGW 748 alsocommunicates with other IP multimedia networks 754.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones register with thewireless network when the phones are in a predefined area (e.g., jobsite, etc.). When the mobile phones leave the area, they register withthe network in their new location as being outside the predefined area.This registration, however, does not indicate the actual physicallocation of the mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.

FIG. 9 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an exemplaryarchitecture in which visual voice mail systems may be incorporated.Mobile Station (MS) 801 is the physical equipment used by the PLMNsubscriber. In one illustrative embodiment, communications device 436may serve as Mobile Station 801. Mobile Station 801 may be one of, butnot limited to, a cellular telephone, a cellular telephone incombination with another electronic device or any other wireless mobilecommunication device.

Mobile Station 801 may communicate wirelessly with Base Station System(BSS) 810. BSS 810 contains a Base Station Controller (BSC) 811 and aBase Transceiver Station (BTS) 812. BSS 810 may include a single BSC811/BTS 812 pair (Base Station) or a system of BSC/BTS pairs which arepart of a larger network. BSS 810 is responsible for communicating withMobile Station 801 and may support one or more cells. BSS 810 isresponsible for handling cellular traffic and signaling between MobileStation 801 and Core Network 840. Typically, BSS 810 performs functionsthat include, but are not limited to, digital conversion of speechchannels, allocation of channels to mobile devices, paging, andtransmission/reception of cellular signals.

Additionally, Mobile Station 801 may communicate wirelessly with RadioNetwork System (RNS) 820. RNS 820 contains a Radio Network Controller(RNC) 821 and one or more Node(s) B 822. RNS 820 may support one or morecells. RNS 820 may also include one or more RNC 821/Node B 822 pairs oralternatively a single RNC 821 may manage multiple Nodes B 822. RNS 820is responsible for communicating with Mobile Station 801 in itsgeographically defined area. RNC 821 is responsible for controlling theNode(s) B 822 that are connected to it and is a control element in aUMTS radio access network. RNC 821 performs functions such as, but notlimited to, load control, packet scheduling, handover control, securityfunctions, as well as controlling Mobile Station 801's access to theCore Network (CN) 840.

The evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) 830 is aradio access network that provides wireless data communications forMobile Station 801 and User Equipment 802. E-UTRAN 830 provides higherdata rates than traditional UMTS. It is part of the Long Term Evolution(LTE) upgrade for mobile networks and later releases meet therequirements of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)Advanced and are commonly known as a 4G networks. E-UTRAN 830 mayinclude of series of logical network components such as E-UTRAN Node B(eNB) 831 and E-UTRAN Node B (eNB) 832. E-UTRAN 830 may contain one ormore eNBs. User Equipment 802 may be any user device capable ofconnecting to E-UTRAN 830 including, but not limited to, a personalcomputer, laptop, mobile device, wireless router, or other devicecapable of wireless connectivity to E-UTRAN 830. The improvedperformance of the E-UTRAN 830 relative to a typical UMTS network allowsfor increased bandwidth, spectral efficiency, and functionalityincluding, but not limited to, voice, high-speed applications, largedata transfer and IPTV, while still allowing for full mobility.

An exemplary embodiment of a mobile data and communication service thatmay be implemented in the PLMN architecture described in FIG. 5 is theEnhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). EDGE is an enhancement forGPRS networks that implements an improved signal modulation scheme knownas 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying). By increasing network utilization, EDGEmay achieve up to three times faster data rates as compared to a typicalGPRS network. EDGE may be implemented on any GSM network capable ofhosting a GPRS network, making it an ideal upgrade over GPRS since itmay provide increased functionality of existing network resources.Evolved EDGE networks are becoming standardized in later releases of theradio telecommunication standards, which provide for even greaterefficiency and peak data rates of up to 1 Mbit/s, while still allowingimplementation on existing GPRS-capable network infrastructure.

Typically Mobile Station 801 may communicate with any or all of BSS 810,RNS 820, or E-UTRAN 830. In a illustrative system, each of BSS 810, RNS820, and E-UTRAN 830 may provide Mobile Station 801 with access to CoreNetwork 840. The Core Network 840 may include of a series of devicesthat route data and communications between end users. Core Network 840may provide network service functions to users in the Circuit Switched(CS) domain, the Packet Switched (PS) domain or both. The CS domainrefers to connections in which dedicated network resources are allocatedat the time of connection establishment and then released when theconnection is terminated. The PS domain refers to communications anddata transfers that make use of autonomous groupings of bits calledpackets. Each packet may be routed, manipulated, processed or handledindependently of all other packets in the PS domain and does not requirededicated network resources.

The Circuit Switched—Media Gateway Function (CS-MGW) 841 is part of CoreNetwork 840, and interacts with Visitor Location Register (VLR) andMobile-Services Switching Center (MSC) Server 860 and Gateway MSC Server861 in order to facilitate Core Network 840 resource control in the CSdomain. Functions of CS-MGW 841 include, but are not limited to, mediaconversion, bearer control, payload processing and other mobile networkprocessing such as handover or anchoring. CS-MGW 840 may receiveconnections to Mobile Station 801 through BSS 810, RNS 820 or both.

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 842 stores subscriber data regardingMobile Station 801 in order to facilitate network functionality. SGSN842 may store subscription information such as, but not limited to, theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), temporary identities,or Packet Data Protocol (PDP) addresses. SGSN 842 may also storelocation information such as, but not limited to, the Gateway GPRSSupport Node (GGSN) 844 address for each GGSN where an active PDPexists. GGSN 844 may implement a location register function to storesubscriber data it receives from SGSN 842 such as subscription orlocation information.

Serving Gateway (S-GW) 843 is an interface which provides connectivitybetween E-UTRAN 830 and Core Network 840. Functions of S-GW 843 include,but are not limited to, packet routing, packet forwarding, transportlevel packet processing, event reporting to Policy and Charging RulesFunction (PCRF) 850, and mobility anchoring for inter-network mobility.PCRF 850 uses information gathered from S-GW 843, as well as othersources, to make applicable policy and charging decisions related todata flows, network resources and other network administrationfunctions. Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW) 845 may provideuser-to-services connectivity functionality including, but not limitedto, network-wide mobility anchoring, bearer session anchoring andcontrol, and IP address allocation for PS domain connections.

Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 863 is a database for user information, andstores subscription data regarding Mobile Station 801 or User Equipment802 for handling calls or data sessions. Networks may contain one HSS863 or more if additional resources are required. Exemplary data storedby HSS 863 include, but is not limited to, user identification,numbering and addressing information, security information, or locationinformation. HSS 863 may also provide call or session establishmentprocedures in both the PS and CS domains.

The VLR/MSC Server 860 provides user location functionality. When MobileStation 801 enters a new network location, it begins a registrationprocedure. A MSC Server for that location transfers the locationinformation to the VLR for the area. A VLR and MSC Server may be locatedin the same computing environment, as is shown by VLR/MSC Server 860, oralternatively may be located in separate computing environments. A VLRmay contain, but is not limited to, user information such as the IMSI,the Temporary Mobile Station Identity (TMSI), the Local Mobile StationIdentity (LMSI), the last known location of the mobile station, or theSGSN where the mobile station was previously registered. The MSC servermay contain information such as, but not limited to, procedures forMobile Station 801 registration or procedures for handover of MobileStation 801 to a different section of the Core Network 840. GMSC Server861 may serve as a connection to alternate GMSC Servers for other mobilestations in larger networks.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 862 is a logical element which maystore the International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEI) for MobileStation 801. In a typical embodiment, user equipment may be classifiedas either “white listed” or “black listed” depending on its status inthe network. In one embodiment, if Mobile Station 801 is stolen and putto use by an unauthorized user, it may be registered as “black listed”in EIR 862, preventing its use on the network. Mobility ManagementEntity (MME) 864 is a control node which may track Mobile Station 801 orUser Equipment 802 if the devices are idle. Additional functionality mayinclude the ability of MME 864 to contact an idle Mobile Station 801 orUser Equipment 802 if retransmission of a previous session is required.

While example embodiments of visual voice mail systems in a multi-screenenvironment time have been described in connection with variouscomputing devices/processors, the underlying concepts can be applied toany computing device, processor, or system capable of receiving visualvoice mail notifications as described herein. The methods andapparatuses for multi-screen visual voice mail applications, or certainaspects or portions thereof, can take the form of program code (i.e.,instructions) embodied in tangible storage media having a physicalstructure, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or s anyother machine-readable storage medium having a physical tangiblestructure (computer-readable storage medium), wherein, when the programcode is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, themachine becomes an apparatus for distributing connectivity and/ortransmission time. A computer-readable storage medium, as describedherein is an article of manufacture, and thus, not to be construed as atransitory signal. In the case of program code execution on programmablecomputers, the computing device will generally include a processor, astorage medium readable by the processor (including volatile andnon-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device,and at least one output device. The program(s) can be implemented inassembly or machine language, if desired. The language can be a compiledor interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

The methods and apparatuses for multi-screen visual voice mail systemscan be practiced via communications embodied in the form of program codethat is transmitted over some transmission medium, such as overelectrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, wherein, when theprogram code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, suchas an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a clientcomputer, or the like, the machine becomes an apparatus for processingvisual voice mail messages in a multi-screen environment. Whenimplemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combineswith the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates forcustomized greetings and messages for voice mail systems.

While customized greetings and messages for voice mail systems have beendescribed in connection with the various embodiments of the variousfigures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiments. For example, one skilled in the art will recognize thatmulti-screen visual voice mail systems as described in the presentapplication may apply to any environment, whether wired or wireless, andmay be applied to any number of devices connected via a communicationsnetwork and interacting across the network. Therefore, systems andmethods for customizable visual voice mail messaging and greetingsshould not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should beconstrued in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for customization of voice mail messagingcomprising: recording a plurality of voice mail messages; definingselection criteria for each of the plurality of voice mail messages;establishing a first call for which one of the plurality of voice mailmessages will be selected; identifying parameters of the first call;matching the parameters with the selection criteria; selecting the oneof the plurality of messages based on the matching setp; and playing theselected message on the first call.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein thefirst call is an outbound call to a called party.
 3. The method of claim2 wherein the selection criteria is one of the called party's location,the called party's telephone number, and the profile associated with acalled party.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the parameters of thecall are one of the called party's location, the called party'stelephone number, and the profile associated with the called party. 5.The method of claim 1 wherein the first call is an inbound call from acalling party.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the selection criteriais one of the calling party's location, the calling party's telephonenumber, and the profile associated with a calling party.
 7. The methodof claim 5 wherein the parameters of the call are one of the callingparty's location, the calling party's telephone number, and the profileassociated with the calling party.
 8. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising establishing a second call and wherein the selecting stepincludes selecting a second message for the second call and playing thesecond message on the second call.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein thesecond call is also an outbound call.
 10. The method of claim 9 whereinthe second message is different from the first message.
 11. The methodof claim 9 wherein the second message is the same as the first message.12. The method of claim 8 wherein the second call is also an inboundcall.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the second message is differentfrom the first message.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the secondmessage is the same as the first message.